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All atoms strive to be stable by fulfilling the 'octet rule'. This rule states that (with the exception of hydrogen) atoms become stable when they have a full outer shell of 8 electrons. Atoms of sodium have 1 valence electron (an electron in the outermost energy level used for bonding). In order to become stable, sodium atoms tend to lose that 1 electron in order to achieve stability & 8 outer electrons. Chlorine atoms, however, have 7 valence electrons. Atoms of chlorine tend to attract & gain 1 electron to satisfy the octet rule. When sodium & chlorine atoms come into contact, sodium gives its 1 valence electron to chlorine. Because of this transfer of electrons, sodium now has 11 positively-charge protons (as indicated by its atomic number on the Periodic Table of Elements) & only 10 negatively-charged electrons. This sodium atom now has a slightly positive charge of +1 because of the imbalance. Due to its gain of 1 electron, the chlorine atom in the reaction now has 17 positively-charge protons & 18 negatively-charged electrons. This imbalance causes chlorine to become slightly negative with a charge of -1. Both atoms have noq sastified the octet rule and have become stable. Because opposite charges attract, the atoms remain bonded together in an ionic bond after the transfer of electrons occurs.

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Related Questions

What is the opposite of Chlorine on the periodic table of elements?

The opposite of Chlorine on the periodic table of elements is Sodium. Chlorine is a halogen located in group 17, while Sodium is an alkali metal located in group 1. They are opposite in terms of their properties and reactivity, with Chlorine being a nonmetal and Sodium being a metal.


What substance is being oxidized when sodium reacts with chlorine gas?

In this reaction, sodium is being oxidized. When sodium reacts with chlorine gas, sodium atoms lose electrons to form sodium ions, and this process involves the loss of electrons, which is characteristic of oxidation.


How is sodium electronic structure different to chlorine's?

Sodium has an electronic structure of 2, 8, 1 with one electron in its outermost shell, while chlorine has an electronic structure of 2, 8, 7 with seven electrons in its outermost shell. This difference in electron configuration determines their chemical properties, with sodium being a reactive metal and chlorine being a reactive nonmetal.


What happen when sodium ion is attracted to a chlorine ion?

forms a covalent bond APEX:They form an ionic compound.


What are the two elements of sodium chloride?

The chemical formula of salt being NaCl, this molecule contain chlorine and sodium.


Can sodium and calcium form salt?

No. Sodium and calcium, both being metals, will not combine chemically. Table salt is a compound of sodium and chlorine.


Why are water molecules so attracted to sodium chloride?

Water molecules are attracted to sodium chloride through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The partially positive hydrogen atoms in water are attracted to the negatively charged chlorine ions in sodium chloride, forming a strong bond. Additionally, water helps to separate the sodium and chloride ions, allowing them to dissolve and disperse evenly throughout the solution.


What generally decreases across the periodic table from sodium to chlorine?

The atomic size generally decreases from sodium to chlorine, as the number of protons in the nucleus increases. Additionally, the metallic properties tend to decrease as elements transition from metals to nonmetals. Lastly, the reactivity of elements tends to increase from sodium to chlorine, with chlorine being more reactive than sodium.


When chlorine is added to sodium bromide solution one of the products is bromine?

When chlorine is added to sodium bromide solution, bromine is produced as one of the products through a redox reaction. The chlorine oxidizes the bromide ion to form bromine gas, while itself being reduced. This reaction is used to synthesize bromine from sodium bromide.


What would happen if a sodium atom and a chlorine atom came into contact?

The sodium atom would transfer its outer electron to the chlorine atom, forming a sodium ion with a positive charge and a chloride ion with a negative charge. These ions would then be attracted to each other, forming an ionic bond to create sodium chloride, or table salt.


Dot structure of NaCl?

The dot structure of NaCl, sodium chloride, would show sodium as Na with one electron being transferred to chlorine, Cl, resulting in Na+ and Cl- ions being attracted to each other due to their opposite charges. This forms an ionic bond between sodium and chlorine.


How does carbon remove chlorine from water?

Carbon removes chlorine from water through a process called adsorption. This occurs when the chlorine molecules in the water are attracted to the surface of the carbon, sticking to it and being removed from the water.